Monthly Archives:October 2016

Clubbell Athletics attracts some of the most forward-minded, health-first fitness professionals in the industry. We’d like to take this opportunity to spotlight one, Charleen Hess, teaching out of Bellingham Washington. Here’s an interview between her and Head Coach, Emily Fisher.

Emily: How long have you been coaching with clubbells?

CHARLEEN: I BEGAN MY CLUBBELL JOURNEY IN 2013. GOT MY CBA CERT IN JANUARY 2014. I BEGAN COACHING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CERTIFICATION AND HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY COACHING FOR A 2 FULL YEARS NOW.

Emily: What attracted you to clubbells in the first place…why did you want to become a CBA instructor?

CHARLEEN: I HAD BEN DOING MOSTLY KETTLEBELL AND CALISTHENIC TRAINING WHEN I WAS INTRODUCED TO AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CLUBBELLS THROUGH TACFIT AND CLUBBELL YOGA. ONCE I EXPERIENCED THE WHOLE BODY ACTIVATION AND DIVERSITY OF THE CLUBBELL, I KNEW I WANTED TO DIVE DEEPER. I WAS EXPERIENCING SUCH HUGE BENEFITS IN MY CORE STABILITY, SCAPULAR STRENGTH, AS WELL AS WRIST STRENGTH AND MOBILITY. I KNEW I HAD TO SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE.

Emily: What do you feel is the biggest benefit clubbells have to offer your clients?

CHARLEEN: CLUBBELLS OFFER A FUN AND DIVERSE WAY OF TRAINING IN A WAY THAT BUILDS YOU UP AND STRENGTHENS ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR BODY, FROM THE MUSCLES, TO JOINTS AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE; RATHER THAN WEARING OUT AND TEARING IT DOWN! ADDITIONALLY, EVERY SINGLE MOVE IS A CORE EXERCISE. I BELIEVE A STRONG CORE IS THE FOUNDATION OF ANY AND ALL MOVEMENT. THE DIVERSITY OF THE CLUBBELL EXERCISES HELPS PREVENT OVER TRAINING AND OVERUSE INJURIES OFTEN FOUND WITH REPETITIVE MOVEMENTS WITH A SINGLE PIECE OF EXERCISE EQUIPMENT.

Emily: What piece of advice would you offer newcomers to clubbells?

CHARLEEN: MY ADVICE TO NEWCOMERS IS TO BUILD THE COMPONENTS! EARN YOUR SWINGS AND COMPLEX MOVEMENTS. IT’S EASY TO THINK “I’M FIT, I CAN WATCH THAT VIDEO AND DO JUST THAT!”. RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO SHORTCUT THE MOVEMENTS AND JUMP IN TOO QUICKLY. THE COMPONENTS ARE THERE FOR A REASON; YOU MUST BUILD THE MOVEMENT FROM THE GROUND UP. THEN WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION, THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS.

Emily: How has training with clubbells enhanced your own experience as both an athlete and coach?

CHARLEEN: WORKING WITH CLUBBELLS AND THE CST SYSTEM HAS TOTALLY CHANGED MY TRAINING. I FEEL BULLET PROOF. BEFORE I WAS ALWAYS HAVING TO TAKE TIME OFF OF TRAINING TO RECOVER. NOW I CAN TRAIN ALL THE TIME WITHOUT INJURY OR EXHAUSTION. AS A HAIRDRESSER FOR 26 YEARS IT IS A MIRACLE I DO NOT HAVE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME OR ISSUES WITH MY SHOULDERS ELBOWS, AND WRISTS, OR BACK PROBLEMS. I CAN STAND AND DO HAIR FOR 10 HOURS A DAY AND NOT LEAVE IN PAIN OR FEEL OVERLY TAXED. I HAVE ALSO JOINED AN AMAZING SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY OF LIKE-MINDED HEALTH FIRST FITNESS PROFESSIONALS.

Three years ago we created the Clubbell Athletics certification course to give instructors the tools needed to safely take clubbells to the next level. We’ve watched as the community has grown and leaders have emerged. Both Gwint Fisher & Brie Helmuth have continually raised the bar, helping to proliferate clubbells by holding CBA workshops, and assisting & teaching at CBA certification courses in their communities. Please join us in congratulating, Gwint Fisher & Brie Helmuth, the first of our instructors to earn their Level 2 CBA Coach certificate.